Mavericks GM Nico Harrison says he didn’t know ‘to what level’ fans loved Luka Doncic

Embattled Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison admitted Monday he didn’t know exactly how much fans cared about Luke Doncic.

Embattled Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison was peppered with questions Monday about his decision to trade Luka Dončić in February, admitting he didn’t know exactly how much Mavericks fans cared about the former franchise superstar.

Answering questions from reporters at an end-of-season news conference, Harrison was asked whether the “anger and outrage” from fans exceeded what he expected when he made the decision to trade Dončić, who led Dallas to the NBA Finals in 2023.

“I knew Luka was important to the fan base,” Harrison said. “I didn’t quite know it to what level.”

Dončić, a five-time NBA All-Star and five-time All-NBA First Team selection, was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 2 in a move that shocked the basketball world. In his introductory news conference with the Lakers, Dončić — who is second only to Michael Jordan in postseason scoring average — said he planned to sign an extension with the Mavericks this summer. He has also since said he planned to spend his entire career in Dallas.

Harrison has been widely criticized for the move, most vociferously by the team’s own fans. Immediately after the trade, Mavericks fans created something of a memorial for Dončić right outside the team’s home arena. Harrison has also been subject to numerous “Fire Nico” chants at home games since the transaction.

https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/nba/nico-harrison-luka-doncic-mavericks-press-conference-rcna202275

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